Father Saturnino Urios University

(ARTS AND SCIENCES PROGRAM)

Course Syllabus

I. Course Code: GE 107

II. Course Title: Science, Technology and Society

III. Course Description:

The course deals with interactions between science and technology and social, cultural, political, and economic
contexts that shape and are shaped by them. (CMO No. 20, series of 2013).

This interdisciplinary course engages students to confront the realities brought about by science and
technology in society. Such realities pervade the personal, the public, and the global aspects of our living and are
integral to human development. Scientific knowledge and technological developmental happen in the context of
society with all its socio-political, cultural, economic, and philosophical underpinnings at play. This course seeks to
instill reflective knowledge in the students that they are able to live the good life and display ethical decision
making in the face of scientific and technological advancement.

This course incudes mandatory topics on climate change and environmental awareness.

III. Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

Knowledge

1. Articulate the impacts of science and technology on society, specifically Philippine society.
2. Explain how science and technology affect society and the environment and its role in nation-
building.
3. Analyze the human condition in order to deeply reflect and express philosophical
ramifications that are meaningful to the student as a part of society.
4. Define and demonstrate the impact of social media on the students’ life and Philippine society
in general.
Values
1. Imbibe the important of science and technology in the preservation of the environment and
the development of the Filipino nation.
2. Critique human flourishing vis-á-vis the progress of science and technology such that the
student may be able to define for himself/herself the meaning of the good life.
3. Foster the value of a healthy lifestyle toward the holistic and sustainable development of
society and the environment.

Skills
1. Creatively present the importance and contributions of science and technology to society
2. Examine shared concerns that make up the good life in order to come up with innovative and
creative solutions to contemporary issues guided by ethical standards
3. Illustrate how the social media and information age impact their lives and their understanding
of climate change.
 IV. Duration/Credits: 3 hours every week for 18 weeks or 54 hours in a semester

Course Outline and Timeframe

Week Topics
GENERAL CONCEPTS AND STS HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1-3 Historical antecedents in which social considerations changed the course of
science and technology
4 Intellectual revolutions that defined society
5-6 Science and technology and nation building
STS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION
7-8 The Human Person flourishing in terms of science and technology
9 The Good Life
10 When Technology and Humanity Cross
11-12 Why the future does not need us
SPECIFIC ISSUES IN STS
13 The Information Age
14-15 Biodiversity and the Healthy Society
16 The Nano World
17-18 Gene Therapy, Culminating Activity